COMMENTARY
Malkin decision makes sense
Fast food for thought:
• NHL administrators are being hammered with criticism in some quarters for rescinding the one-game suspension seemingly due Penguins star Evgeni Malkin for instigating Sunday night’s last-minute fight with Henrik Zetterberg. Let’s be serious. The rule is intended to eliminate late-game goon tactics. A loophole exists in the interpretation because not every incident violates the spirit of the law. This is a case where common sense prevailed.
• How difficult is it to break through for that first PGA Tour victory, especially in a mainstream event? Just look what happened to South African Tim Clark at the Colonial on Sunday. Clark came up short on a straight 9-footer for the win on the final hole of regulation, then missed from 7 feet for birdie on the first hole of the playoff. Those two misfires gave him little right to bemoan his misfortune on the second playoff hole, when his approach struck the pin and left him a 20-footer while Steve Stricker cashed a 3- footer for the win.
Clark, an East Aurora International Junior Masters alum, must be the best player never to win a tournament, never mind a major. He’s 33 now (how time flies) and has more than $13 million in career earnings.
• Speaking of pressure, Roger Federer’s close call against Tommy Haas at the French Open on Monday underscores how deeply he covets the title that would make him the sixth player to win the career Grand Slam. The path was cleared when the world’s No. 1 and clay-court goliath Rafael Nadal fell to 23rd-seeded Robin Soderling in the third round. There’s another carrot dangling in front of Federer. One more major title and he ties Peter Sampras’ career record of 14.
• I’m not sure the Orlando Magic is a team of destiny, just the most well-rounded club in the NBA at the moment. And it looks like they’ll be getting point guard Jameer Nelson back for at least some of the Finals. I like Dwight Howard &Co. in six even though Phil Jackson will make sure L. A., unlike Cleveland, has a clue on offense come crunch time. This series will launch Howard to bona fide stardom.
• By the way, no matter what he says, is there any lingering doubt that LeBron James is one-and-done with the Cavs?
• We’re still looking for three partners to round out Jerry Sullivan’s foursome at the Tom Borrelli Memorial Golf Tournament on July 20 at Holland Hills. As they used to say at the Ch. 17 auction, “Bid once, big high.” We’re listing the item as “priceless.”
• There will be no showdown between early season Cy Young contenders when Kansas City plays a three-game set at Toronto beginning Friday. It looks like Royals ace Zack Greinke will go on Friday, Roy Halladay on Sunday.
• Jonny Flynn met with the Detroit Pistons at the end of the NBA Draft Combine last week and interviewed with the Chicago Bulls. Detroit drafts 15th and isn’t sure he’ll still be on the board.
• Given the injury threat, especially with a filly running on short rest against the boys, it was prudent to pull Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra from the Belmont. Besides, the distance sets up perfectly for Mine That Bird, assuming he can fire once more in what amounts to the most grueling five weeks in sports.
• You knew it was only a matter of time. The Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA will have the name of a corporate sponsor, LifeLock, across the front of their jerseys this season. Look for other sports entities to go the NASCAR route starting, oh, tomorrow. I have the Sabres pegged for an alliance with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
• The more I read about Tom Brady’s gusto to get back on the field, the more I shudder over the Bills opening with the Pats on a Monday night game in Foxborough.
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